I wonder if you could please help me? Do you have any history connected with this stone showing dates of 1752, 1774, 1799, 1821, 1861? etc. . .

My great uncle Charles Raine was born at Swarth Cross 1876 and I understand at that time there would have been a community around this area.

Was it a mining community?
If so, what would have been mined there? Ironstone? Allum?
What is the significance of the dates inscribed on the stone?

Today there is a Farm House B&B Skelder Farm (I think) and Skelder Inn was further towards Whitby. My great grandmother, mother of Charles Raine, Eliza Harrison (before she married) lived at Skelder Cottage.

Nearly all these dated stones relate to boundaries. When these were disputed and went to court the date was recorded on the stone. There are several on the NYM similar to this one. And there is at least one which actually states that the boundary was decided at York Assizes and gives the date.

David Perry wrote:Nearly all these dated stones relate to boundaries. When these were disputed and went to court the date was recorded on the stone. There are several on the NYM similar to this one. And there is at least one which actually states that the boundary was decided at York Assizes and gives the date.

That's interesting! Can you tell me more, please??? or how can I find out more???
Pat

The North York Moors, landscape heritage, edited by DA Spratt & BJD Harrison
Inside the ~North York Moors, by Harry Mead
and if you can find it:-
Standing Stones & Earthworks on the North Yorkshire Moors by Stanhope White